SPRINGFIELD - The number of mortgage foreclosures in Hampden County nearly tripled in April compared with April 2007.

There were 146 foreclosure deeds filed in Hampden County last month, according to the study released yesterday by The Warren Group, a provider of real estate data and publisher of Banker & Tradesman. That's compared with just 54 deeds in April 2007.

The number of foreclosure deeds filed in the first four months of the year was up 122 percent to 329 deeds compared with 176 in the first four months of 2007.

The filing of a foreclosure deed is the step that typically follows an auction.

Situation worse in Springfield

In Springfield, the number of foreclosure deeds more than tripled from 30 in April 2007 to 94 in April 2008. The numbers for Springfield in the first four months of 2008 increased 125 percent compared with the same time period in 2007.

National statistics show that having a foreclosed-upon property in a neighborhood depresses the value of surrounding homes by 7 percent, said Kevin M. Sears, of Sears Real Estate in Springfield.

Just the signs announcing a foreclosure sale in a neighborhood give buyers second thoughts, he said.

"There are always these little yellow signs," Sears said. "People start asking if this is a good neighborhood for them to invest their money. That is a legitimate concern for them."

Foreclosures hit record statewide

Across the state, the number of foreclosure deeds reached their highest recorded level in April, The Warren Group said.

Year-to-date, the number of foreclosure deeds across the state is up 152 percent from 1,650 in 2007 to 4,161 in the first four months of this year.

In Franklin County, the number of foreclosure deeds increased from four in April 2007 to 12 last month. In Hampshire County, the number of foreclosure deeds increased in April to nine from five in April 2007.

Jennifer M. Kingman, project manager for the Western Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Center, said urban areas where lenders made subprime loans when the market was hot are now the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Some people with adjustable-rate mortgages have seen their interest rate go from 6 percent to 12 percent, effectively doubling their monthly payment, she said.

"I don't think we've seen the bottom," she said.

The number of auctions held steady both across the state and locally.

Getting people help

The task force is working with the Foreclosure Prevention Center in providing legal help to people facing foreclosure.

Kingman said the key for borrowers is to get help early, before they've fallen too far behind. The center has a hotline at (800) 332-9667 Ext. 1622. 

A homeowner foreclosure prevention workshop will be held at the Chestnut Accelerated Middle School, 355 Plainfield St., Springfield, on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the center's hotline for more information.